2 charged with murdering Wheeling Jesuit lacrosse player

Two men have been charged with murdering a Wheeling Jesuit men's lacrosse player early Saturday morning.

Kevin Figaniak, a 21-year-old senior attackman and business major from Perkasie, Pa., and a friend were attacked about 1:45 a.m. as they walked back to the West Virginia campus, police said.

Craig Tyler Peacock, 22, of Clewiston, Fla., and Jarrett Mathis Chandler, 24, of Winnfield, La., were arraigned this morning on $1 million cash bond. Police said more charges are possible. The friend, who has not been identified, survived the attack.

The university released the following statement:

“Today is a difficult day for our campus as we mourn the loss of a member of the Wheeling Jesuit family. It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Kevin Michael Figaniak, WJU class of 2014, passed from this life quietly and peacefully surrounded by his family and friends,” said the Rev. James Fleming, the university's president.

“Kevin spent the last three years at Wheeling Jesuit forging friendships, and in his final hours, Kevin was surrounded by those friends and his family, who, through their love and prayers, brought Kevin home to Jesus. We ask you to please keep Kevin, his family and the entire Wheeling Jesuit community in your prayers,” Fleming added.

Figaniak was admitted to Wheeling Hospital early Saturday morning with severe head trauma and later transferred to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Presbyterian.

He played in 16 games (starting 12) last season and had 14 goals and eight assists for the Cardinals, who compete in NCAA Division II. He also was a member of the university's club hockey team.